Functional coupling between ryanodine receptors and L-type calcium channels in neurons

The stimulation of the type-1 metabotropic glutamate receptor (mGluR1) induces a tight functional coupling between ryanodine receptors and L-type calcium channels in neurons. The stimulation of mGluR1 facilitates L-type calcium channel activity. The stimulation of channel activity is independent of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate and typical protein kinases, and is mimicked by caffeine. Ryanodine inhibits both the mGluR1 and caffeine-induced increase in L-type calcium channels in neurons.